“The Equalizer 2” is not for the Faint of Heart as Denzel Washington returns as Robert McCall By Liz Lopez Rating: B- Director Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day”) and screenwriter Richard Wenk (“The Equalizer”) bring back Denzel Washington to the character of Robert McCall for the sequel, “The Equalizer 2,” an adaptation of the television… Continue reading Review: THE EQUALIZER 2
Author: Mark Saldana
SXSW 2018 Review: UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) At first, this particular title failed to pique my interest. I had previously seen and reviewed the first Unfriended film, and though the concept is rather clever and relevant, its frights just never grabbed me. Thankfully, a friend whose opinion I value went to the premiere… Continue reading SXSW 2018 Review: UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB
Review: DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT.
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Battling alcoholism is already a highly challenging struggle, but when one has to cope with the limitations of paralysis in addition to addiction, this is an entirely different level of adversity. Such is the very true story of artist John Callahan, a talented cartoonist with an… Continue reading Review: DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT.
Review: MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN
“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” Dances Right into Your Heart By Liz Lopez Rating: B When I viewed the feature film “Mamma Mia!” 10 years ago, I was not envisioning a sequel. I didn’t think one was needed, but evidently someone else thought differently. It is not that I disliked the first… Continue reading Review: MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN
SXSW 2018 Review: EIGHTH GRADE
By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) Going into this movie, I knew almost nothing about Bo Burnham as a comedian and noticed that this is his first and only narrative feature film so far. After experiencing this absolutely wonderful and poignant movie, I could only ponder why this talented new filmmaker had… Continue reading SXSW 2018 Review: EIGHTH GRADE
Review: BOUNDARIES
“Boundaries” Shines with stars Vera Farmiga and Christopher Plummer By Liz Lopez Rating: B Writer-director Shana Feste (“Country Strong,” “Endless Love”) has created a father-daughter road movie that has both the drama and comedy that is found in most families, but with the characters in this family, what may be a pretty standard story… Continue reading Review: BOUNDARIES
SXSW 2018 Review/Interview: BOUNDARIES
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) There is no such thing as a perfect family. Though some families suffer from greater dysfunctions than others, every family has its share of problems and troubled relationships. This delightful headliner by writer/director Shana Feste tells a fictionalized version of her problematic relationship with her father… Continue reading SXSW 2018 Review/Interview: BOUNDARIES
Review: HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) Much like the previous entries in this animated film franchise, Hotel Transylvania 3 offers its audiences delightful humor without any heavy or deep messages, and that’s fine. These films are mostly geared toward the younger members of the family, but there is still enough material for… Continue reading Review: HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION
Review: SKYSCRAPER
By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) The new Dwayne Johnson vehicle is certainly an homage to action films like Die Hard and disaster movies like The Towering Inferno, and the filmmakers are not ashamed about this at all. In fact, they embrace this whole-heartedly. Writer/director Rawson Marshall Thurber celebrates and honors his… Continue reading Review: SKYSCRAPER
Review: SKYSCRAPER
By Liz Lopez Rating: B-/C+ As I spoke to a friend recently, I mentioned the upcoming film “Skyscraper” staring Dwayne Johnson and her first reaction was a comparison to the 1974 film “The Towering Inferno,” as well as asking if it is a remake. I find this question to be expected, as many “baby boomers”… Continue reading Review: SKYSCRAPER